Expectant Penny Lancaster blooms on the catwalk as she supports cancer sufferer sister-in-law

By EMILY SHERIDAN

Blooming lovely: Rod Stewart's pregnant wife Penny Lancaster shows off her
burgeoning belly as she walks down the catwalk at the Breast Cancer Care Fashion Show at the Dorchester Hotel in London yesterday


Just hours after having her 20th week scan, a blooming Penny Lancaster took to catwalk in the name of charity.

Rod Stewart's wife, who is expecting her second child in February, looked glowing as she sashayed down the runway in a pink mini dress and lacy tights at the Breast Cancer Care Show in London yesterday.

The 39-year-old was at the Dorchester Hotel event to support her sister-in-law Louise Crocker, who is currently battling the disease and was one of 25 breast cancer sufferers or survivors enjoying their moment in the limelight.



Family support: Penny poses with her sister-in-law Louise Crocker, who modelled in the show and is currently receiving treatment for breast cancer


The photographer found out her beloved sister-in-law - married to her younger brother Oliver - had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer just a few weeks after learning they were expecting a baby brother for their four-year-old son Alistair.

The fight against breast cancer was already a cause close to Penny's heart after losing her close friend Maria Falco to the disease nine years ago.

It was the late Ms Falco who encouraged Penny to first talk to Rod when they met in the late Nineties.


Here come the girls: The 24 models - a mix of breast cancer sufferers and survivors - watch Penny walk down the catwalk


Speaking of Mrs Crocker's health battle recently, Lancaster said: 'When I found out about Louise I had this feeling like my insides had been stripped out.

'Why Louise? She's young and healthy and she's got two children aged seven and three. It seems so scary and unfair. I was overwhelmed by this gut-wrenching emptiness.'

Mrs Crocker's fight against cancer has only brought the family even closer and expectant Penny has hailed her sister-in-law for her bravery and positive attitude.

She told the Daily Mirror: 'I never had a sister and neither has Louise so we always call each other sisters.


Fighting fit: The fundraising show was just one of many events to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month


'The strong message Louise wants to get across is that even after a diagnosis of breast cancer life goes on and you can still be happy.'

The fashion show today is just one of a host of fundraising and awareness events across the UK to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Also lending their support at the show were Loose Women panelists Andrea McLean and Zoe Tyler and Daybreak's Dr Hilary Jones.


Bravery: Penny and Louise join fellow models for a photocall on the catwalk


Doing their bit: Loose Women panellists Andrea McLean (left) and Zoe Tyler lent their support to the cause


Later in the evening, Penny was joined by her husband Rod Stewart, as well as a host of celebrities including Geri Halliwell and Lisa Snowdon, as she posed for photographers following the show.

Looking stunning in a gold maxi dress, Penny shone for the photographers while Rod joked around by placing his hand on his own stomach before tenderly cradling Penny's burgeoning bump.

To find out more about Breast Cancer Awareness Month, visit Breast Cancer Care's website.



Gorgeous in gold: Penny poses with husband Rod Stewart outside the event in a stunning gold maxi dress




source: dailymail